Mount structure for electron discharge devices



W. T. MlLLlS May 17, 1960 MOUNT STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICES Filed June 25, 1956 United States Patent() MOUNT STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICES Walter T. Millis, Owensboro, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 25, 1956, Serial No. 593,438 7 Claims. (Cl. 'S13-261) Combination of diodes, triodes and pentodes have beenr included in one envelope. Such structures require that the various electrodes bel arrangedin closely spaced relation. The electrode elements of the electron discharge are norrnallyv mounted between spaced insulators such as laminated mica disks or plates which tie together and support the electrode elements in spaced lrelation. Heretofore, the mica spacing members have been very complex in that a multitude of punched apertures must be formed, accurately related to each other, and adapted to receive the end portions of the electrode elements, which process adds to the die complexity and mechanically weakens the mica spacers. Further, mica being a laminated material, tends to de-laminate when pierced and the tendency is increased as the number of holes is increased.

In mounting electron discharge devices having a plurality of electrode elements the diiiculties are increased as the number of elements is increased since each of the electrode elements such as the plates, grids, etc., usually requires at least two tabs, ears, or legs, etc., at each end of the element for support and alignment. The various tube elements are normally axed in spaced relation with each other byvinserting the end portions thereof into the proper locating apertures in the mica disks. When a large number of electrode elements are employed, it becomes very diicult to pass the multitude of tabs, ears, legs, etc., through themica spacers. There have been on some tube types as many as 30 apertures formed in the mica spacer for the purpose of supporting electrode elements.

The problem becomes even more pronounced when the mount structure is assembled by mechanized or automatized processes since allthe elements must Abe perfectly aligned and held while the apertured mica disks are inserted onto the electrode element and the aligning tools must remain in correct alignment with respect to the mica while being withdrawn from the assembled unit, otherwise the individualtlayers of laminatedV mica spacer will tend to separate. Mechanized equipment designed for assembling the prior a-rt type of mount structures becomes very complicated, and when twin pentode type electron discharge devices' are considered such mechanized equipment becomes prohibitively complicated.

l -It is accordingly, a principal object of this invention to provide new and improved mount structures for positioning a plurality of electron ldischarge devices within a single envelope.

.It is another object of the present invention to provide new and improved methods of mounting a plurality of electron `discharge devices within a single envelope.

2,937,306 Patented May 17, 196C "ice In the attainment of the foregoing objects, I provide mount structures for multiple electron discharge devices contained withinA a single envelope in which each of the electron discharge devices are mounted on respective mica supports and the mica supports are then joined together to form a surface having dimensions such as to contact the walls of the envelope to support the electron discharge devices 'therewithim yOther objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of thespeciications and the drawings in which:

lFigure l is an isometric view partly in cross section of an electron discharge Ydevice constructed in accord ance with my invention; v 'j FigureA 2a s an exploded plan'view of the segmental portions of the disks of Figure l; Figure 2b is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the lines Zb-Zb of Figure 2a and showing the supports .affixed to one another;

KFigure 3a is va plan view of another embodiment of the supportsvaccording to the present invention; Figure 3b is a cross sectional View taken along line ,3b-3b of Figure 3a;

yFigure 4a kis a plan view of another embodiment of the supports according to the present invention; Figure 4b is an enlarged cross sectional view Vtaken along line 4b-4b of Figure 4a; Figure 5a is a planv view'of another embodiment'of the supports according to the present invention; Figure 5b is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line S'b-Sb of Figure 5a;

Figure 6a. is a plan wew of yet another embodiment of the supports according to the present invention; and Figure 6b is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 6b-6b of Figure 6a.

In Figure l my invention is illustrated as applied to a mount 11 for an electron discharge deviceV mounted between spaced mica insulator supports 15 and 17 each consisting of segmental portions of a disk and a mount 13 for a second discharge device mounted betweengspaced mica insulator supports 19 and 21 similar to Supports 15 and '17;' Both mounts 11 and 13 are enclosed within a single envelope 23. Mount 11 may consist of a cathode 25 the end of which is shown protruding through insulatorvlS, a control grid, the support rods 27 of which, protrude through insulator 15, and an anode 29. Anode 2,9 is maintained in position Yby tab extensions 38 which extend throughV insulator 15.' One or more of the tabs 38 are bent to lie flat against the insulator thus to securely position the mount. The opposite ends of the various electrodesl 'protrude through insulator 17 in a similar manner.

Mount 13 may consist of a cathode 31, theend of which is vshown protruding through support 19, a control grid, the l,support rods 33 of which areshown protruding through support 19, a screen grid, the support rods 35 of which are shown protruding through support 19, and an anode 37 which is maintained in position by tabextensions 39 which also extend through and are flattened against support 19. Thel opposite endsof the various f aix thesupports and the attached electron discharge devices in lateral position. Leads 41 connect the various electrodes to the pin connectors 43 and thence to Vsuit:- able sources of energizing potentials, not shown, and also affix the electron discharge devic in longitudinal position. Structure 45, for gas gettering purposes, may be of any design commonly used for this purpose and it is not, per se, a part of this invention.

Figure 2a shows the details of supports 15 and 19 of Figure 1. Support 17 is similar to support 15 and support 21 is similar tosupport 11. Therefore, only a description of` supports 15 and 19 is deemed necessary. Supports 15 and 19 are punched to provide various apertures, generallyv designated as 16 and 414 respectively, through which the Various electrodeY supports extend. Supports 15 and `19 each form a segment of a circular surface and are formed to provide abutting edges, which when disposed so to abutt result in a complete circular surface adapted to be fitted in firm contact with the inner w'all of the glass envelope 23. Metallic angle strip members `47 and 49 are similar to each other and are affixed l to supports 15 and V19, respectively, and adjacent the abutting'edges thereof, as by rivets 51 in a manner such that the vertically disposed portions of the flanges bear againsteach other. The supports 15 and 19 may then be affixed to one another by spot welding the upstanding portions of flange 47 to those of flange 49.

Figures 3a and 3b show an alternative embodiment of my invention. In this embodiment, supports 15 and `19 may be identical to the supports of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, but in lieu of the metallic angle strip members there employed, an insulative ring 53 V-is place over supports 15 and 19 and affixed thereto as by rivets 57, thereby to join and afhx the supports 15 and 19 to one another. Ring 53 has -a large cut out portion 55 centrally arranged so that theV ring does not interfere with any electrode protrusions extending through supports 15 and 19, and has an outside diameter less than or equal tothe overall diameter of the supports 15 and 19 so that the ring does not interfere with the positioning of the supports within the envelope Z3.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in Figures 4a and 4b. In this embodiment supports 34 and 36 are formed to have segmental surfaces 59 and 60 which are adapted to overlap one another. The electron discharge devices are initially `attached to their respective supports, then the supports are overlapped and affixed to each other as by rivets 61. The outer periphery of the joined supports 34 and 36 again fits firmly Vin the tubular envelope 23.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in Figures 5a and 5b. In this embodiment supports 15 and 17, which may be of the type shown in Figures 2a and 2b, are aflxed to one another by metallic staples 18 of which the `legs are forced through respective ones of the supportsV then bent inwardly so as to securely grip the supports. This embodiment is particularly useful when the units to be affixed to each other are light in weight. Instead of utilizing metallic staples 18, as shown, substantially flat strips may be disposed across the edges of the supports and riveted'to the supports.

Another embodiment of vmy invention is shown in Figures 6a and 6b. In this embodiment, supports 15 and 17 are affixed to one another by tab extensions 61 of metallic end shield 63 which includes cut out portion 20 so that shield 63 does not interfere with any protrusions through support 17. As shown, shield 63 is formed as a flat circular segment having transverse dimensions sufficient to provide a portion overlapping the abutting edges of the supports and 17. Apertures 24 are provided in each support to receive the tab extensions 61. In assembly, tab extensions 61 are inserted into the apertures 24 of supports 15 and 17 and are then bent so as to securely grip the supports.

In assembly, the various electrode elements of the electrontube mounts are mounted on the respective mica supports. For example, land with reference-to the embodiment of Figures 1, 2a, and 2b, lower mica support 17 is held stationary and the end portions of each of the electrode elements corresponding to support members 25, 27 and 38 arel inserted into their respective apertures,

usually concurrently. One or more of tab extensions corresponding to tab 38 are then bent or otherwise deformed to attach them to the mioa'17. Next, the opposite end portion, support members 25, 27 and 38, of the various electrode elements are inserted into their respective apertures in top mica support 15. Tab extensions 38 are then bent to attach mica 15. Electron discharge device 13 may be attached to mica supports 19 `and 21 in a similar manner. Next, the supports 15 and 19 and supports 17 and 21 are joined and affixed to each other by any of the arrangements described hereinabove to form surfaces having a periphery which bears against the inner walls of the tube envelope 23.

The completed unit 12 consisting of the joined mica supports 15 and 19, 17 and 21 with the electron discharge device mounts 11 and 13 therebetween is then inserted into a predetermined position within tube envelope 23. The various leads 41 which also serve as longitudinal supports are then afiixcd to pin connectors 43 and the tube is'then ready for the sealing and degassing operations.

While specic examples have been given in describing details of this invention, it will be understood that they have been given merely by way of illustration and that the invention is not limited thereto. l

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: l. A mount assembly for a plurality of independent and distinct electron discharge devices adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure,l each of said devices including a plurality of electrodes contained within an envelope comprising a first pair of vertically spaced insulative supports each defining a segment of a circular area 4and being apertured for receiving the ends of and maintaining said electrodes of only one of said electron discharge devices in spaced relation therebetween, a second pair of lvertically spaced insulative supports each defining complementary segments of said circular area and being apertured for receiving the ends of and maintaining said electrodes of only another of said electron discharge devices in spaced relation therebetween, metallic flange members rigidly affixed to the chordal edges of said supports, the flange members at corresponding ends of said device being rigidly affixed to each other, whereby various combinations of different types of electron discharge devices may be formed in a single assembly adapted to be enclosed in a single envelope and including a spaced pair of circular supports resiliently engaging the side Walls of said envelope.

2. A mount assembly for a plurality of independent and distinct electron discharge devices adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure contained within an envelope comprising insulative segmental portions of discs supporting each of said electron discharge devices, said segmental portions of discs having chordal edges abutting against one another to form a planar circular surface, a planar sheet metal shield member of sufhcient dimensions overlapping and engaging planar surface portions of the segmental portions, said segmental portions each having apertures therein for receiving the ends of electrode elements in one of said devices, said shield member including tab extensions'inserted in other apertures in said segmental portions of discsfor securing said segmental portionsof discs to each other so'as to form a circular unitary support for said electron discharge de vices, whereby-various combinations of different types of electron discharge devices may be formed in a single assembly adapted to be mounted in a single envelope. 3. A mount assembly for-a plurality of independent and Vdistinct electron discharge devices adapted toA be assembled into a unitary structure contained within an envelope comprising a first pair of insulative segmental portions of discs apertured for receiving the ends 'of and thereby supporting one of; Said electron discharge devices therebetween, a second pair of insulative segmental portions of discs apertured for receiving the ends of and thereby supporting another of said electron discharge devices therebetween, a planar annular member aixed in overlapping engaging relation to the surfaces of said segmental portions of discs in each ofsaid pairs to form circular planar supports, said segmental portions includ# ing peripheral portions extending beyond the edge of said annular member and resiliently engaging the wall of said envelope for fitting snugly within said envelope, whereby various combinations of diierent types of electron discharge devices may be formed in a single assembly adapted to be mounted in a single envelope.

4. A mount assembly for a'plurality of independent and distinct electron discharge devices adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure contained within an envelope comprising a pair of insulative segmental portions of discs apertured for receiving the ends of and thereby supporting only one of said electron discharge devices therebetween, a second pair of insulative seg-l mental portions of discs apertured for receiving the ends of and thereby supporting only another of said electron discharge devices, the chordal edges of said segmental portions abutting and means stapling said first and second pair of segmental portions of discs to form a planar circular member to fit snugly in said envelope, whereby various combinations of different types of electron discharge devices may be formed in a single assembly adapted to be mounted in a single envelope.

5. A mount assembly for a plurality of independent and distinct electron discharge devices adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure contained Within an envelope comprising a pair of insulative segmental portions of discs, one of said portions supporting the electrodes of only one of said electron discharge devices there-g, between, the other of said portions supporting the electrodes of only the other of said electron discharge devices, said insulative segmental portions of discs being joined at the chordal edges thereof and having peripheral edges which bear on the inner walls of said envelope for supporting said electron discharge devices within said envelope, whereby various combinations of diierent types of electron discharge devices may be formed in a single assembly adapted to be mounted in a single envelope.

6. A mount assembly for a plurality of independent and distinct electron discharge devices adapted to be assembled into a unitary structure contained Within an envelope comprising a pair of insulative segmental members together constituting a substantially planar discshaped composite member, said segmental members each being apertured and receiving for supporting in spaced relation the electrodes of only one of said devices, said segmental Amembers being joined together with the chordal edges thereof engaging to complete said composite member, and said composite member correspondf ing generally in area to the cross-sectional area of said envelope for being snugly tted transversely in said envelope and thereby supporting said devices therein, whereby various combinations of dierent types of electron discharge devices may be formed in a single assembly adapted to be mounted in a single envelope.

7. A mount assembly according to claim 6 wherein the chordal edges of said segmental members are in overlapping engagement and said segmental members are secured together at said overlapping edges.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,100,308 Miller Nov. 23, 1937 2,120,122 Zillger June 7, 1938 2,213,162 Feindel Aug. 27, 1940 2,232,220 Feindel Feb. 18, 1941 2,459,476 Van Liempt et al. Ian. 18, 1949 2,490,177 Der Berg et al. Dec. 6, 1949 2,518,308 Gronros Aug. 8, 1950 2,733,376 Robertson ---f Jan. 31, 1956 2,836,746 Wolke et al May 27, 1958 

